One common misconception about living on a cattle ranch is that there’s a neverending supply of beef in the freezer. That might be true for some, but because we only raise cattle up to a certain weight here, they’re off the ranch by the time they’re 800 pounds or so. We also don’t butcher animals on our ranch—we’re all about raising them on green pastures and leading them beside still waters. Occasionally, we’ll have the opportunity to fill our freezer with beef we’ve raised. But when we do, it usually means a good supply of hamburger, roasts, and round steak….but not much of the more desirable grilling steaks like rib-eyes, strips, and fillets.

Generally speaking, we buy steaks. In the store. From the butcher.

And I’m okay with that. With years of intensive therapy, I’ve become okay with that.

Just kidding about the intensive therapy thing (I think), but I thought it would be fun to show you how we like to buy our rib-eye steaks. We buy vacuum sealed whole rib loins (rib eye roasts) straight from the butcher. A rib loin is the whole piece of meat from which individual rib-eye steaks are cut by the butcher.

We like to buy them whole and cut them ourselves.

There are lots of great reasons for doing this:

First, it’s a lot of fun. When you have some friends or family over (we did last night), it’s just fun to pull a big hunka meat out of the fridge and slice the steaks individually…especially when everyone’s starving. It’s sort of like being around a bunch of hairy cavemen. And cavewomen.

They were hairy too, you know.

Second, if you have to buy a bunch of steaks for a party or gathering, it’s SO much more economical than buying individual steaks—especially if you can get the whole rib loin on sale. Pesky Tim picked up this one yesterday, and it was on sale for $4/pound. To buy an individually wrapped ribeye steak of equal quality, we would’ve had to pay around $8/pound. Do the math! It’s really quite shocking.

Third, you have total control over how thick to cut the steaks. You can go obscenely thick or fingertip-thin.

Finally, and this is what I love, you can cut half of the ribeye loin into steaks, then season and roast the remaining half of the loin. This makes for amazing prime rib and/or cold leftover roast beef that can be sliced thin and used to make delicious sandwiches on toasted homemade bread with horseradish sauce and….

Ugh. I get a little carried away sometimes.

A couple of summers ago, our whole family—Marlboro Man’s parents, Pesky Tim and his wife Missy, and Marlboro Man and I pitched in and bought several whole rib loins when we discovered we could buy them for less than $4/pound. I packed my vacuum sealer, Missy packed her electric knife, and we all headed to the farm for the weekend where the guys had to work some calves. We spent the weekend in an assembly line, slicing up the rib loins into steaks of varying thicknesses, sealing them in vacuum bags, and freezing them for later use. Then, at the end of the weekend, we all divvied up the steaks, threw ‘em in coolers, and made our way home with our loot. We had individually wrapped, relatively cheap ribeye steaks whenever we needed them.

It was one of the more satisfying experiences of my life.

It was almost as satisfying as this steak I ate last night, prepared lovingly by my Valentine’s hands. It was so tender and flavorful, I almost cried.

In fact, I think I did cry.

Missy handled the rest of the food, which made me happy.

She threw together a stovetop version of this spicy shrimp. If you haven’t ever tried it, please do so immediately.

Thank you.

My mouth is still burning this morning, though…

And here’s why: my oldest has a thing about going around and “spiking” things. In this case, she added a couple hundred dashes of extra Tabasco.

And she squeezed the juice of half a lemon into my wine glass. She’s fired.

Aila D. On Saturday, February 14 at 11:04 am

Danielle On Saturday, February 14 at 11:04 am

Lemon juice in your wine glass? Is that another prank? If so, it may be more heinous than the fake snake. Do NOT mess with my good wine, little miss!

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lisa On Saturday, February 14 at 11:05 am

We get filet mignon this way – buy a whole beef tenderloin. The butcher cuts our meat since I don’t think we have knives to do it and I can’t cut straight! What knives do you use and how do you make a straight cut??

I hope that there will still be whole rib loins available after this post!!

Miss M.J. Ma'am On Saturday, February 14 at 11:07 am

o-girl On Saturday, February 14 at 11:07 am

We’ve bought the whole loin before and agreed, it’s so much more economical! OMGOB, Ree….the picture of the steak (just above the pic of Missy)….looks sooooo good that I practically started drooling. Will your Valentine (I’m assuming that’s MM ) give out his tips for cooking a steak? I like mine with plenty of pink, like the one in the picture. Would you call that rare or medium rare?

Tracy On Saturday, February 14 at 11:08 am

I totally agree about buying meat in bulk. I work at a place that rhymes with “Hams” Ü. Ask for the case prices. You’ll be amazed at the savings. And yup, those are the best spicy shrimp you’ll even eat (er, swallow whole in Cavewoman Form Ü)

Kris On Saturday, February 14 at 11:15 am

Great idea on the steaks! We do raise the beef that ends up in our freezer only with the strict rule that I don’t know who it is that ends up in there! I do NOT want to meet my meat!!! Happy Valentine’s Day!! We are taking our kids out for pizza and a movie. How romantic is that???

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Sandra in Phx On Saturday, February 14 at 11:15 am

I am going to buy steaks today for dinner tonight…nothing like waiting until the last moment. Whatever. Steaks just say Valentine’s Day! YUM!!

Sheila On Saturday, February 14 at 11:20 am

We do that too!! I live near a city, but I don’t want to go into it frequently, so we buy bulk quite a bit. I just “frenched” my pork rib chops the other day! (Cut the meat away from the bone and leave the loin attached, it makes for pretty presentation. Think Crown Roast with the little hats on the end of the bones) That steak looks mooovealous!! Happy V day!
Sheila

Alyssa Moses On Saturday, February 14 at 11:21 am

Bone-in rib eyes are my favorite cut of steak – wonderful flavor and very satisfying for a special occasion or a crowd. Happy Valentine’s Day Ree!
Phoo-Dhttp://www.phoo-d.com

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Nikki H On Saturday, February 14 at 11:22 am

That steak looked so good I hope that’s what we’re having tonight. My mouth is watering as I type. When’s dinner?

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arenee On Saturday, February 14 at 11:25 am

You hit on one of the questions that has been running thru my mind lately.I have been trying to come up with ways to use the meat from the market but I am unsure what to do with things I haven’t used before.What do you do with all those cuts of meats called “roast”–rump, top sirloin, sirloin tips?
Every time I cook one the meat is chewy.
Thanks for all you do. I have learned tons. You are almost as good as my MeMaw. ; }

Barbara On Saturday, February 14 at 11:31 am

Patty Williams On Saturday, February 14 at 11:34 am

My husband watched the baby and let me sleep in this morning…and when I woke up, he had made pancakes, which I have been craving! Apparently he’s got a top secret special dinner planned for later. I’m going to try to take care of dessert…maybe mini cheesecakes.

Great idea to buy the whole thing! I honestly didnt realize they could be cut up into steaks. Makes sense but I never thought about it. Ithink cows are tasty, but try not to imagine what part of the critter I am consuming!

ps
Hey Ree, (and everyone else else) have you seen the movie “Like Water for Chocolate”?? If not, it’s a must see, I think it’s at the top of my favorites movies (Along with The Green Mile, & The Color Purple) anyway, I think with your love of food, and preparing it with your loving hands (you said it, not me) it’s a must see, if you haven’t yet. It’s a great Valentine movie as well, ahhh nothing like a good love story… ;o)

Sheila On Saturday, February 14 at 12:06 pm

OHHH looks so good ! I just bought 2 cakes a a pie from the Viking cooking school in Greenwood. (benifit for cancer socity) SOOOO AWWWSOme. Gave 1 to my parents 1 to my husband for valentines day… The pie is for me HE HE HE

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judi On Saturday, February 14 at 12:07 pm

Hello???? Nothing like giving us half a post!!

How did you cook the steaks???

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Sheila On Saturday, February 14 at 12:07 pm

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY YA’LL

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Ernestine On Saturday, February 14 at 12:07 pm

Happy Valentine’s Day. My hubby and I are having a very romantic dinner for two tonight.

Amy from Steeler Country On Saturday, February 14 at 12:14 pm

Happy Valentine’s day, or “Valentimes” day as my 4 year old likes to say. I bought Steaks for my honey for tonight, too–but I bought a pack of semi-boneless Strip steaks that were on sale for $4.99 a pound and I don’t even have to cut them, lol! I wish you were my neighbor so I could make you do the hard parts (like the cutting and sealing) and then shower you with love and friendship so that you’d share!

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Anita On Saturday, February 14 at 12:15 pm

Happy Valentine’s Day to all.

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ann On Saturday, February 14 at 12:17 pm

well I nearly cried just looking at the pic… I want one… NOW!
speaking of steak- you know how sometimes you walk into a restaurant having no clue how it’s going to be; look at the prices and it’s all pretty normal- not expensive; and then the food comes- and they could be getting fancy Michelin ratings? Well, I had that happen in Cracow, Poland not long ago… and I had a steak… oh.my.goodness.gracious
Is there a steak lovers support group? I need to go…

Enid On Saturday, February 14 at 12:27 pm

How wierd..I just bought a whole rib eye on Tuesday, had them slice it and had steaks from it for dinner last night, too. We do this regularly, but we have the butcher cut it because it’s hard, for us, to cut them uniformly. We got 12 steaks for $4. something a lb. ALOT cheaper and better than going out and spending $100. on one meal! Nice to have steaks in the freezer.

Happy Valentines day to you too.
No one around here to “spike” our food or drink…thankfully!

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Ronda On Saturday, February 14 at 12:36 pm

My daughter likes to salt and pepper things… like the Thanksgiving she put salt and pepper all over my newly baked, home made Buttermilk pies.
i still weep.

My valentine took me to a Japanese steak house last night. The kids loved it and my son decided that he likes “volcano onions”. They both tried foods they would not have tried before and found they liked it!
a win for us all!

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Jennifer On Saturday, February 14 at 12:39 pm

Oh yum. I am way to hungry to have read this post. Now I will be craving a steak, cooked by my Valentine!

thanks for the info – my dad’s in good with his butcher i’m going to check out buying the whole loin! Hope you and MM have the sweetest day!

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Suzanne On Saturday, February 14 at 12:42 pm

My valentine grew up on a farm in Indiana and insists on buying meat the way you do. Not only is it less $, but it really tastes better! I don’t get it, being a New England girl and all (I get fish) but I wholeheartedly support him because of the amazing meals he makes. I really think it’s because he loves the vacuum sealer, but that’s a whole other story!

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Karen F On Saturday, February 14 at 12:56 pm

This must be your worst post ever. Not really ; ) except I have this thing about touching raw meat. I can’t do it – it makes me woozy. I can make meatballs and meatloaf without ever touching the raw meat. Not even a bit of it. I’m quite talented with a fork and spoon now. I like to eat meat, but touching it is a whole different ball game. Ewwwwww……………

Ree, I made your cupcakes last night and they were a huge hit with my friends. I doubled the batch because I needed closer to 30 than 12 and I got about 40 and a small cake dish of leftovers. I love it.
Thanks for sharing all your wonderful recipes with us. I love trying out your dishes.
Happy Valentine’s Day!!

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elabella On Saturday, February 14 at 1:15 pm

I have an older son known for “spiking” things. He just made his father and I a V-Day surprise. Pudding, with a touch of wine and sugar coated peanuts added. I may choke it down just to show him I appreciate his thoughtfulness – but then that may only encourage him for odder concoctions!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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KimL On Saturday, February 14 at 1:18 pm

Oooooohhhhhh, man!!! That steak looks soooooo good! All that was missing was a whole mess of sliced mushrooms cooked in garlic butter! Yummm! Alas, we are having chicken for dinner tonight.

I’ve been craving steak for over a week. I was in hopes we would go to a steakhouse this weekend, but hubs just had his cholesterol test and guess we’ll be doing chicken or fish. Guess I’m OK with that too. I love hubs more than I do steak.

Looks so yummy and fun! I really wanted to try making some juicy man-pleasin’ steaks tonight but I chickened out and am going with the old stand-by of meatballs and pasta. Maybe next year I’ll get up some guts!

Oh that looks so good! I have got to start buying them that way. Is that a store bought German Chocolate cake I see..? Ah, there was no recipe attached, so I’m a just assumin’!

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Married to an Aussie in OK On Saturday, February 14 at 1:34 pm

Happy Valentine’s to you – that’s the way it should be… good food, good friends, good family (well, as good as can be expected)… and best of all, good steak!!!

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LauraB On Saturday, February 14 at 1:35 pm

Great steak in the mornin’! Thx for the rib loin tip thing. It’s our favorite cut and we could defnitely go for that…

Trooper should be home soon from his secret squirrel duty – he’ll walk in to the aroma of his favorite (roladen) and later the sight of his requested dessert, zuccotto. And I’ll smell his head and be so glad he’s home finally…

Happy V-day!!

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Amy On Saturday, February 14 at 1:36 pm

Oh, Ree! There is nothing finer than a perfectly cooked rib steak. Just looking at that picture of your steak made my mouth water.

Buying a roast is brilliant and will likely be how we stock our freezer again after we move at the end of the month.

My beloved brought home steaks for dinner tonight! I cannot wait for dinner time to enjoy the delicious goodness!

What a great idea! I’ve also discovered recently that I can buy chicken breasts cheaper from the butcher’s case than they sell them packaged in the meat section. Why? I don’t get it but I’m all for savings! Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Helen Tarnation On Saturday, February 14 at 2:01 pm

I’m doing steaks, broiled lobster tails and chocolate creme brulee for dessert. Thought it would be cheaper than going out…now I’m not so sure.

morgan On Saturday, February 14 at 2:47 pm

can you buy the whole cut at the grocery store, or a private butcher? I’m not sure I have ever seen those at our local grocer. I love steak, but I am terrible at cooking it, and I really loathe paying $8-$14 a lb…